One in five financial sector firms are considering trading cryptocurrencies in the next 12 months according to a Thomson Reuters survey.

Of those who were willing to trade cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ripple, 70 per cent said they would begin trading in as soon as three to six months, the survey revealed.

Published on Tuesday, the survey comes after the once-dark world of cryptocurrencies hit the mainstream late last year when the value of one Bitcoin, the best known digital cash, surged to almost $20,000.

Crypto-mania: 70 per cent of those who would trade said they could start in as soon as three to six months' time

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